Mortise-lock



M. L. DRUM.

MORTISE LOCK.

(No Model.)

Patented Aug. 2

M M A N. FETERS. Piwm-mhugmpher. Wnhmgton. [1.6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIS L. ORUM, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MORTlSE-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 367,436, dated August 2, 1887.

Application filed February 26, 1887. Serial No. 228,978. (No model.)

the art to which it appertai 11s to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in mortise locks the object being to construct a machine lock, used for cabinet or other purposes, so that a secure means of attachment of the lock to the mortise is afforded in an economical and simple manner, a superior lock being produced at a low initial cost.

Vith these ends inview my invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts, that will be hereinafter explained, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the face-plate of my improved lock. Fig. 2 is a plan view of another form of faceplate with my improvement combined there with. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the faceplate of the lock. Fig. 4. is an elevation in cross-section of the face-plate, showing its position in a mortise.

In locks used for cabinet or other similar work it is desirableto afford a means of securing the lock body in the open recess or mortise made to contain it without the use of retaining-screws. Locks have been made to accomplish this desideratum, but in a comparativel y expensive manner. In order to effect the retention of the lock-body simply and reliably, I have devised a method of construction that avoids multiplication of parts and consequent expensix e handwork to join such pieces.

My improvement is embodied in a novel face-plate of the lock, which, by its peculiar form, holds the attached cap and contained mechanism firmly in place in a proper cavity made for it.

One form of the face-plate is shown at A, Figs. 1 and 3. This is preferably struck by dies from sheet metal, and is provided with the usual selvage, B, at one end and is rounded at the opposite end, B. The parallel edges 0 of the face-plate A are furnished with wings D D, cut therefrom and bentinwardly at an acute angle to the flat surface of the face-plate. Any suitable number of these inclined integral wings D may be formed on the edges of the face-plate A, and also on it's rounded end. The cutting and bending inwardly of the wings D will permit a corresponding number of flanges, E E, to remain and extend in thesame plane as the general surface of the face-plate A.

The cap-plate is attached to the face-plate A in any approved manner, and is placed inside the interior boundaries of the inclined wings D. The interior or locking mechanism may be of any approved form of construction adapted to this style of lock, as my present improvement does not extend to such parts of the lock, and can be applied to any cabinetlock.

In Fig. 2 a rectangular face-plate, G, is shown. This is furnished with the inclined wings D D, which are identical in form with those shown on plate A, and the ilanges E are left integral with the body of the plate, as shown.

In operation the mortise made in the door, drawer, &c., to receive the body of the lock is cut with overhanging edges that conformto the angle of and form bearing for the outer surfaces of the wings D D of the face-plate A or G, while the flanges E rest snugly against the outer face of the door or drawer. The plate is forced into place by a sliding movement, the wings D and flanges E embracing and interlocking in such a manner with the edges or walls of the mortise as to prevent any lateral displacement of the faceplate, and also prevent the removal of the latter in any direction except the reverse of that in whichitwas inserted in the mortise. The degree of elasticity that is afforded the wings D by their method of construction will permit them to yieldslightly and spring outwardly to hold the lock in position in the cavity made for it.

It will be seen that the locking contact of parts just described will cause a compression of the walls of wood that form the sides of the routed cavity made for the lock and a clamp ing of these wood portions between the slightly elastic flanges E and the exterior surface of I00 the inclined wings D, so that the depth of the cavity is not depended upon to retain the body of the lock in rigid position.

The wing formed on the edge of the faceplate opposite the selvage is designed to engage the lower edge or wall of the cavity or mortise just as the selvage comes flush with the outer edge of the door or drawer and holds the plate against displacement.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a mortise or cabinet look, a face-plate having a selvagc 011 one end and alternating series of flanges and inclined wings onits opposite side edges, the said wings being ar- 

